OUT WITH THE DOGS: Use clicker games for canine weight loss

There are a lot of reasons to use clicker training (food based, 100 percent positive reinforcement) with your dog. One reason that may not occur to most people is that it will help modify their own behavior.

I'm convinced that if pet owners will play clicker games with their dogs, following the clicker training protocol, it will control that food- equals-love syndrome that so commonly leads to canine obesity. I don't expect owners to stop giving their dog treats; that's never going to happen. But if treat-giving in a prescribed manner is even more satisfying for owners because of the playful interaction with their pets, it will greatly reduce the overall number and size of treats given. It's also important to remember that to follow the clicker protocol, free feeding must be eliminated.

The obvious benefit of playing clicker games with your dog is that you gain a way to instantly get his attention. It is impossible to teach a dog anything if you don't first get, then hold, his attention. Another wonderful aspect of clicker games is that it builds and strengthens the human/companion animal bond. Dogs were bred to work for us; they are happiest when they perform a task which garners praise from their owners. It's easy to play clicker games with your dog just sitting in your easy chair; anyone can do it.

Last week I explained the first basic steps with the clicker protocol and we got started with that. Now we can add the touch stick to the clicker game sessions. This is exactly the way I started Topper, my youngest Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (Toller). Tops is the most enthusiastic of my dogs (I dislike the term "hyper") and has been the easiest and most fun to play touch stick.

As always, I have sessions like this just before regular feeding time; a slightly hungry dog is a more attentive dog. Topper is the only dog inside with me, as I sit in my recliner, specially prepared treats at hand, clicker and touch stick ready. I hold the stick in my right hand; one treat and clicker in the left. The idea is to get the dog to touch the black tape at the end of the stick when you say "touch!" Do not click until he touches the target area with his nose; click means treat.

Topper was easy because his natural curiosity and playfulness made him immediately start sniffing at the stick in my hand. He sniffed once about halfway down the stick; I did nothing, but repeated "Touch." He then sniffed and touched the end; immediate click and treat. I waved the stick around a bit, low, lap level and said "touch." This is where it really got funny; Tops excitedly touched the stick near my hand and looked at me. I did nothing but repeated the word touch.

He quickly touched the stick a bit higher and looked at me; no response from me except to repeat "touch." In that way - one touch, look at me then touch higher, look at me, etc. - until Topper finally touched the end, black part of the stick, and I immediately clicked. He took his treat quickly and watched me for the next move. I gave the command and he touched the end again. I clicked and treated quickly and saw the light dawn on that dog. Bam! Just like that he understood the magic place to touch for a click and treat. Then it really got fun to wave the stick around at different heights or trace patterns on the floor with it so he had to chase it to touch it.

Not all dogs will respond as quickly as Topper; but all dogs can figure it out and enjoy the interaction with their owner. With Topper Dog it has become a super-fun game for him and me, both. After a session, he walks around touching EVERYTHING and quickly looking at me; it is hilarious. Tops watches my every movement, especially if I hold anything in my hands. At flyball practice, now, we use the touch stick to get Topper "up on the wall." It teaches the dog to actually jump up, with all four feet off the ground, onto a wall and quickly turn off of it, all aimed at the goal of fast, safe box turns. I use clicker training primarily for teaching flyball, but it can easily be used to teach a dog, no matter its size or age, basic obedience exercises in the house, and certainly improve house manners.

Instead of willy-nilly handing out snacks to your dog to express your love for him, play a game; dogs love games and treats together. You will be amazed at the eagerness-to-play your dog will display after just the first session of clicker games.

Rebecca Settergren is an AKC approved CGC Evaluator, a member of the Dog Writers Association of America and a contributing columnist to the Post. Visit Out With The Dogs on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TailsWag